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RESEARCH FRONT
Contents Vol 110(1)

The evolution of plumage colouration in parrots: a review

Mathew L. Berg A B and Andrew T. D. Bennett A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Pigdons Road, Geelong, Vic. 3217, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: mathew.berg@deakin.edu.au

Emu 110(1) 10-20 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU09076
Submitted: 19 August 2009  Accepted: 21 December 2009   Published: 18 February 2010

Abstract

The plumages of parrots provide some of the most striking colouration in nature. We summarise the diversity of mechanisms producing colour in parrots and the current evidence for the adaptive significance of variation in the colour of parrot plumages. Only recently have detailed studies begun to unravel the mechanisms of their colour-production and colour-vision systems. Parrots produce much of their plumage colouration through a unique suite of pigments (psittacofulvins), or through a feather tissue nanostructure that results in coherent scattering of light, or a combination of the two (producing green). Psittacofulvins are found nowhere else in nature, and may even generate fluorescence in many parrot species. Compared with other avian taxa, the adaptive significance of parrot plumage colouration remains poorly understood, although some studies suggest that plumage colouration may form important sexual signals and may be used in mate-choice by several species. There is evidence to suggest that parrot colouration can be subject to both environmental and genetic control. We emphasise that parrots offer a distinctive and useful colouration system for further study. Further research is required to unravel how the dramatic colour patterns of parrots evolved, and what roles colour signals may play in the life histories of parrots.


Acknowledgements

We thank Jim Bowmaker, Innes Cuthill, Jan Dyck, John Endler, Doris Gomez, Olle Håstad, Rob Heinsohn, David Hunt, Leo Joseph, Ben Knott, Elsie Krebs, Rob Magrath and Raoul Ribot for helpful discussions on parrots, and Richard Prum and Robert Porter for help with electron microscopy and Fourier analyses of feather nanostructure. We are also grateful to three anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments. This work was funded by Biological Sciences Research Council, the Leverhulme Trust and Deakin University.


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